Genome-wide SNP analysis of fibroblasts juxtaposed or distant from epithelial breast and ovarian tumours [ 2006 - 2008 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Ian Campbell (Principal investigator) ,  A/Pr Izhak Haviv

Brief description In the past it was believed that the driving factor in the process of cancer devlopment was the cancer tissue itself. More recently however, it has become clear that the process is far more complex and that many aspects of human biology can profoundly influence both an individuals presiposition to cancer and the severity of disease. Many laboratories, including our own, have shown that gene mutations frequently occur in cancer tissue but recent studies have suggested that the apparently normal tissue surrounding the cancer (often referred to stroma) may also contain mutations. This so called 'cancer associated stroma'(CAS) is also thought to harbour genetic mutations and some studies have shown that without these mutations the cancer cannot survive. At present we have only had glimpses of the genetic alterations that may occur in CAS and there is an urgent need to fully understand the interplay between CAS and frankly cancerous tissue. Our laboratory will utilise high density, genome-wide screening technologies to search for novel mutations in CAS from breast and ovarian cancers. A complete understanding of the role stroma plays in cancer development is likely to lead to novel ways of treating and preventing cancer. Consequently, the identification of the full repertoire of stroma-derived cancer promoting genes is emerging as one of the most important areas in cancer research. The identification of these genes could lead to the development of novel diagnostic markers for use in cancer detection, diagnosis and-or prognosis.

Funding Amount $AUD 401,763.85

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant